RUACH ~ Youth, Families & Teen Learning

RUACH – רוּחַ‎” is Hebrew for spirit, energy, wind and life!

The RUACH community school for youth, families, and teens is an energetic part of our community.  Kids and families learn in a positive, Jewish environment and progressive, Reform community focused on repair of the world and lovingkindness.  RUACH (“ru-ach”) includes opportunities for learning led by dynamic teachers, as well as special events, outings, Shabbat services, Fall Family Holiday events and more.

RUACH is a dynamic approach to creative and meaningful Jewish learning, social justice, tikkun olam (repair of the world), Hebrew music, art, nature, spirituality and Jewish expression. We welcome parent involvement and creativity.

We continue to explore creative and meaningful ways of learning, building upon years of community-based, joyous community programs for youth and families.   We welcome registrations for the 2023-24/5784 year ahead. To speak with Rabbi Riqi,  please click here.

Joyous, Deeply Rooted, Child-Led

This year our theme is “Tikkun Olam – b’rinah” – Repair of the World, with joy!  We want to empower our kids and families with the richness of our tradition to make positive change and hope in the world as it is into the world we dream of and can make possible.

We have created three “mini-mesters” — Fall (stav), Winter (choref) and Spring (aviv), for units and seasons of learning, doing and being together!

We believe in nurturing the inner wisdom of children and young people with learning about progressive Jewish values, empowering families, and creating learning environments that support and encourage wisdom, asking great questions (always more questions!), and having friendships with each other, teachers, Rabbi Riqi, students and families to expand and flourish. 

In a child-led approach, we affirm that young people are the experts of their own experiences and learning styles, and work to meet all students where they are.

Our RUACH classes and program offerings build community, offer meaningful entryways into Jewish life, celebrate diversity, and deepen our commitment to tikkun olam (repairing the world) and love for our planet.  With teachers and mentors, friends and family, we study, make Hebrew learning fun and useful, celebrate all the holidays, bring core Jewish values to life, go on “chavaya” real-world outings, delve into subjects through specialties and electives, do projects, build and make art, and have a lot of fun!

RUACH includes:

  • RUACH ARTS (grades K-3) group meets weekly, with additional opportunities for Friday nights, Saturday morning “Shabbat B’Yachad” (Sabbath Together), family and holiday celebrations, gatherings, Hebrew aleph-bet through movement, art, cooking, Torah stories, values and crafts.
  • RUACH LAB (grades 4-7) meets weekly as a “laboratory” for Jewish learning, with off-site “havaya” adventures, opportunities for Shabbat services and family holiday celebrations, and family-Shabbat dinner/Havdalah led gatherings.
  • HEBREW HAVURAH Thursdays and independent (grades 3-7) studies modern Hebrew and the prayer services, with healthy snacks, songs and fun in a great learning studio environment.  We utilize a range of progressive curricula such as URJ Mitkadem, Hebrew Through Movement, Shiri the Llama, Hebrew in Harmony, and have a lot of fun.   Hebrew Havurah teachers are passionate about Hebrew for kids and includes Rabbi Riqi and Hebrew specialists.
  • B’NEI MITZVAH JOURNEY with Rabbi Riqi & specialists – for kids who are six months to a year and a half prior to celebrating becoming Bar/Bat/Bet Mitzvah.  This very supportive cohort includes creative study, discussion, art, class bonding, trips, tikkun olam mitzvah projects, and creating a supportive container with the rabbi for students and families on the journey to Jewish young adulthood and becoming teens in a complex world.


Tuition & Fees

Below are the sliding scale tuition fees for RUACH Community School.  Your investment enables us to pay teachers and create innovative Jewish learning with students and families.  The top end fee is our goal for making the school sustainable, while the initial fee is designed to help families on a budget.   Tuition can be paid in full or in installments, PayPal, check or bank transfer, and the tuition assistance form is available upon request.  Payment or payment plan should be arranged by the second attended class.  Tuition  includes the former $36 materials fee.  No one is ever turned away for lack of funds. However, we do need you to fill out all registration forms to attend.  It takes a village!

Program Fees
RUACH Arts (K-3) 1 Student – $700-$900/year
2 Students $1250-$1450/year

RUACH Lab (4-7)

Hebrew Havurah, Grades 3+

1 Student – $750-$1000/year
2 Students $1350-$1600/year

1 Student – $750/year
2 Students $1350/year

B’nei Mitzvah Journey 1 Student – $700/year
2 Students $1200/year
BAFTY Teens – Temple Youth Group 1 Teen/Tween – $208/year
2 Teens/Tweens – $316/year

Tuition assistance is available upon request. Please contact our Treasurer, Rabbi Riqi or the office at beitahavah@gmail.com for the form.

Be Part of RUACH!

To join any family, youth, or teen events, register or experience RUACH or youth programs, be on the RUACH mailing list, support or sponsor, or just meet or talk with Rabbi Riqi, please contact us at (beitahavah@gmail.com, or 413-406-2602). Welcome!

RUACH embodies the three pillars upon with the world stands:

“The world stands upon three things:  Torah (Jewish learning), Avodah (prayer and service) and G’milut Chasadim (acts of lovingkindness).”  – Avot d’Rabbi Natan 11:1

Torah: Study – Engaging our minds and souls to deepen our connection with our past and to make our heritage relevant to how we live today through exciting Jewish learning.  So much to learn and explore, ignite and apply!

Avodah: Spirituality – Awakening our hearts to connect to the Oneness of all creation through prayer, song, art, dance and other modalities, as well as service and connection to others.

G’milut Chasadim: Acts of Lovingkindness – Using our hands and hearts inspired by Jewish wisdom to perform actions that make the world a better place – Tikkun Olam, Repair of the World.  We are “praying with our feet and hands, hearts and minds.”